Bekendmaking van de verwijdering van meerdere leden van het stadsbestuur van Amsterdam, 1748 1748

This broadside, printed by Samuel Lamsveld in Amsterdam in September 1748, publicly announces the removal of several members of the city’s governing council. At the time, the Dutch Republic was experiencing internal political tensions between the stadtholders, who favored centralized rule, and the patrician elites in cities like Amsterdam, who advocated for greater local autonomy. The announcement reflects these tensions, as the Prince of Orange, the stadtholder, has dismissed several city officials. Printed proclamations like this one played a crucial role in shaping public opinion. The design, with its formal typography and prominent coat of arms, reinforces the authority of the ruling House of Orange. The list of names signals a dramatic shift in the balance of power within the city. To fully understand the significance of this document, one might consult the Amsterdam City Archives, which hold extensive records of the political events of this period. These records, combined with close attention to the document's visual codes, clarify the public role of art during periods of political change.